Epileymeriella hitzeli Ammonite Fossil Rare Iridescent Lower Albian Cretaceous Russia

Description

Rare Epileymeriella hitzeli Iridescent Ammonite Fossil from Russia

This listing offers a stunning and scientifically important Epileymeriella hitzeli ammonite fossil from the Lower Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous period (approximately 113–107 million years ago). Originating from Russia, this fossilised ammonite displays a natural iridescent sheen, the result of mineral preservation that enhances its beauty and rarity. The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for precise sizing reference. Every fossil in our collection is guaranteed authentic and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context – Lower Albian of the Cretaceous

The Albian stage marks a significant interval of the Early Cretaceous, spanning roughly 113 to 100 million years ago. This specimen comes from the Lower Albian, a period marked by widespread shallow seas and flourishing marine ecosystems across Europe and northern Asia. These environments were part of the greater Tethyan Ocean system, where fine-grained sediments such as marls, clays, and limestones were deposited, entombing and preserving a rich diversity of marine life.

The Lower Albian deposits of Russia are well known for yielding ammonites of exceptional preservation. Their evolutionary variety and relatively rapid turnover make them ideal index fossils for refining global stratigraphic frameworks. Ammonites such as Epileymeriella hitzeli play a central role in establishing biozones used for dating and correlating Early Cretaceous strata across different regions.

Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Species: Epileymeriella hitzeli
• Geological Stage: Lower Albian, Early Cretaceous (c. 113–107 million years ago)
• Locality: Russia
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Lyellicerataceae
• Family: Leymeriellidae

Morphological Features

This example of Epileymeriella hitzeli shows the defining features of the genus and species, making it both scientifically valuable and visually captivating:

• Shell Form: Moderately evolute with a compressed outline and gently rounded whorls.
• Ornamentation: Fine, forward-curving ribs (prorsocurvate) sweep elegantly across the shell flanks, converging toward the venter.
• Diagnostic Traits: The ribbing pattern and proportions are characteristic of Epileymeriella, a genus widely used for Lower Albian biozonation.
• Iridescence: A striking, natural play of colour across the shell surface due to aragonite preservation, producing shimmering green, gold, and violet tones under light.

Such iridescence is uncommon in ammonites and enhances this fossil’s appeal as both a scientific specimen and a collector’s display piece.

Paleontological Importance

The genus Epileymeriella is part of the family Leymeriellidae, which evolved during the Early Cretaceous and diversified rapidly during the Albian. Fossils of this group are particularly valuable for paleontologists because they provide fine resolution in biostratigraphy, helping to divide the Lower Albian into smaller, well-defined biozones.

As active marine predators, ammonites like Epileymeriella hitzeli occupied an important ecological role in Cretaceous oceans. Their widespread distribution, rapid evolution, and distinctive shell morphology make them critical for reconstructing ancient environments and evolutionary pathways.

Depositional Environment – Shallow Cretaceous Seas of Russia

During the Lower Albian, much of Russia was submerged beneath shallow epicontinental seas. These nutrient-rich environments supported diverse marine faunas, including ammonites, belemnites, gastropods, and bivalves. Fine-grained sediment deposition provided excellent conditions for fossil preservation, particularly where reducing environments slowed decay and mineralised shells with remarkable detail.

The unique mineralisation processes in these deposits often enhance the beauty of ammonites, producing the iridescent sheen evident in this specimen of Epileymeriella hitzeli. This natural feature makes fossils from this region especially sought after by collectors worldwide.

Collector and Display Value

This iridescent ammonite fossil is an outstanding choice for collectors seeking both scientific significance and aesthetic beauty. Its distinctive ribbing, clear preservation, and natural play of colour make it ideal for display in a collection, museum setting, or educational environment. Rare ammonites from the Lower Albian of Russia are highly prized due to their combination of rarity, scientific importance, and striking natural iridescence.

As with all of our fossils, this specimen is carefully selected for authenticity and quality. It comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring peace of mind and guaranteeing its provenance. The exact specimen shown in the photographs is the one you will receive, making this a unique and unrepeatable offering.

Key Details

• Fossil: Epileymeriella hitzeli Ammonite
• Age: Lower Albian, Early Cretaceous (c. 113–107 million years old)
• Locality: Russia
• Classification: Order Ammonitida – Superfamily Lyellicerataceae – Family Leymeriellidae
• Features: Iridescent shell preservation with fine ribbing and prorsocurvate ornamentation
• Supplied with Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact specimen shown in photographs with 1 cm scale cube

This is a rare chance to acquire an authentic Epileymeriella hitzeli ammonite fossil from the Lower Albian of Russia – a remarkable specimen that combines scientific value with natural beauty.